The Dallas Independent School District board voted last week to pay $2.1 million for outside organizations to help students navigate the college application process. High school guidance counselors want to provide more personalized service, but can't. It's just a numbers game.
The article states that the American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of 250 students per counselor.
Our experience is Mentoring and Academic Counseling is the first step in the process and takes a lot of time and individualized attention.
The National Association of College Admissions Counseling, State of College Admissions Report, September 2008 reported the following public school student to counselor ratios:
-Virginia: 455:1
-Maryland: 374:1
I applaud the Dallas Independent School District board for addressing the issue.
